Bow forming machine



July 16, 1963 J. E. KERRIGAN ETAL 3,097,772

BOW FORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1960 4 3 Sheets-Sheet J.

INV EN TORS AMES E. KER/FLGAN RA/MONDS 0mm? Adz, 71 M {W July 16, 1963J. E. KERRIGAN ET-AL 3,097,772

BOW FORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSdilbrws.

July 16, 1963 J. E. KERRIGANI ETAL 3,

4 BOW FORMING MACHINE Filed'Dec. so, 1960 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UnitedStates Patent 3,097,772 BOW FORMING MACHINE James E. Kerrigan, ArlingtonHeights, and Raimonds Grikis, Chicago, Ill., assignors to ChicagoPrinted String Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec.30, 1960, Ser. No. 79,909 13 Claims. (Cl. 223-46) This invention relatesto a bow forming machine and more particularly to a portable mechanismfor mechanically manipulating a length of ribbon to facilitate forming abow therefrom.

Gift wrapping of packages has become one of the important services ofdepartment stores and the like. Due to the increasing number of packagesbeing gift-wrapped and. due to the time necessary to manually form eachdecorative bow for such packages, the need has arisen for aninexpensive, versatile, and portable bow forming machine. Most of thebow forming machines which have been developed heretofore have ingeneral been very complex and correspondingly very expensive, and mosthave been quite large. While some of these machines are very ingeniousand are capable of forming a large number of decorative bows in a veryshort time, very few have been designed for the smaller gift-wrappingoperations of the variety and gift shops or the operations of thesmaller department stores. Also, bow machines of previous design havevbeen rarely constructed in such a manner that they could be adjustedeither to accommodate ribbon of various widths or to form bows ofvarious styles and sizes.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a portable bowforming machine which is particularly adapted for variety storegift-wrapping operations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a portable bow tyingmachine which is very versatile and easy to operate and which representsa relatively small capital investment.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a portablemachine which maybe operated easily and rapidly to facilitate producinga large number of decorative bows.

It is an additional object of. this invention to provide a portable bowforming machine which may be adjusted to handle ribbon of various widthsand may be further adjusted to aid in producing bows of various stylesand sizes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable bowforming machine which is relatively inexpensive, has a minimum number ofparts and is very easy to maintain in working order.

Other objects will be seen, and a further understanding of the inventionmay be had by referring to the following description and claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The mechanism constructed in accordance. with this invention is adaptedto facilitate forming a decorative bow having a mounting strip forattaching it to a package or the like. This mechanism comprises meansfor winding a length of ribbon into a composite loop of severalcoextensive contiguous layers, and means for fastening the mountingstrip. to the composite loop of ribbon and for fastening the contiguouslayers of the composite loop together on opposite. sides thereof whilethe loop is on the winding means. The thus joined composite ribbon loopmay then be removed from the winding means, and the intermediateunfastened end portions of each layer of ribbon may be removed from thecorresponding end portions of the adjacent overlying layer to form thedecorative bow.

The winding means preferably includes a pair of sub st-antially parallelfingers and a ribbon holder for maintaining a free end portion of theribbon in fixed position 3,097,772 Patented July 16, 1963 m CC withrespect to these fingers. This winding means is connected to a basemember or stand for translative movement. between two predeterminedpositions and for rotative movement about an axis which is intermediateand substantially parallel to the fingers of the winding means. As thefingers are rotated about this axis, successive portions of the ribbonwill be wound thereon to form the elongate composite loop. The structureof this winding means or unit is one of the features of this invention.The unit is. adjustable to accommodate ribbons of various widths and isfurther adjustable to permit various sizes and styles of bows to beformed thereon.

Another feature of this invention is the means for fastening themounting strip to the ribbon and for simultaneously fastening thecontiguous layers of the composite ribbon loop together on oppositesides thereof. This fastening means preferably includes two fastenersdisposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the winding unitand an associated anvil which is mounted on the winding unit. Thetranslation of the winding unit is such as to position the compositeloop and the anvil between the oppositely disposed fasteners. Thefasteners may then be actuated simultaneously to fulfill their function.

With reference to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus after the ribbon has beenwound onto the fingers of the winding unit to form the composite loop,after the winding unit has been translated to its retracted position andas the fastener mechanisms are. actuated to interconnect the mountingstrip and the various layers of ribbon of the composite loop;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus after the fasteners havebeen applied to the composite loop and afiter the winding unit has againbeen translated-to its extended position;

FIG. 4' is a perspective view of the mechanism taken at a slightlydifferent angle and showing the winding unit partially rotated;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the composite loop of ribbon formed onthe machine illustrating the manner in which the unfastened end loopportions of each layer of ribbon may be removed from the correspondingunfastened end loop portions of the adjacent overlying layer; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a finishedbow.

The mechanism 10 is adapted to facilitate the formation of a bow 12 (seeFIG. 6) from a length of ribbon 14. The mechanism 10 includes arelatively heavy base or stand .16 which is adapted to rest upon a tablesurface. Attached to the base 16 are a winding unit 18 and a fasteningmechanism 20.

The winding unit 18 includes an elongate shaft 22 about the axis ofwhich the winding unit 18 is adapted to rotate, and along the axis ofwhich the winding mechanism is adapted to translate. Attached to one endof this shaft 22. is a cross bar 24. Two substantially parallel fingerelements 26- and 28 are operatively connected to' the bar 24 on oppositesides of the juncture of this bar with the shaft 22. To effect thisconnection of the finger elements to the cross bar 24, two slide blocks30 and 32 are employed. Finger element 26 is mounted on slide block 30,and finger element 28 is mounted on slide block 32. The slide blocks 30and 32 may be moved toward and away from each other to vary the distancebetween the parallel finger elements without varying the orientation ofthe finger elements. The spacing of the fingers 2 6 and 28 isdeterminative of the length of the composite ribbon loop 35 and of theultimately formed bow. A latch 30a on the slide block 30 and acorresponding latch 32a on the slide block 32 cooperate with recesses 34formed in the cross bar 24- to effect locking of these slide blocks andtheir associated finger elements in their desired position of adjustmenton the bar 24.

The outer ends of the slide blocks and 32 at the juncture with theirfinger elements are flat and define a plane substantially parallel tothe cross bar 24. As will be further described, the ribbon 14 is guidedonto the fingers 26 and 28 in such a manner that the inner edge thereofwill abut the slide blocks 30 and 32.

The finger element 26 is somewhat longer than the finger element 28, forit is adapted to act as an operating handle to facilitate the rotationof the winding unit 18, as will be seen. The finger element 28 iseccentrically connected to its slide block 32 and may be rotatedrelative to this slide block. To facilitate this relative movement a tab28a is provided at the end of this finger element. The eccentricconnection permits the finger 28 to be moved slightly toward or awayfrom the finger 26 without effecting the positioning of the slide blocks30 or 32. This slight movement is employed to effect release of thecomposite ribbon loop 35 which has been tightly formed about thefingers. In the dnawings, the finger 28 is in its operative or holdingposition, and the tab 28a is positioned outwardly. When this finger hasbeen rotated to its released position, the spacing between the fingerswill be slightly less and the tab 28a will be positioned inwardly topermit the composite loop 35' to be easily removed.

A stop 36 is slidably connected to the shaft 22 adjacent the juncture ofthis shaft with the cross bar 24, and this stop is locked in its desiredposition of adjustment with respect to the shaft 22 by means of asetscrew 38 (see FIG. 4). The stop 36 is slotted to accommodate thecross bar 24 at its juncture with the shaft 22, and a rodlike anvilelement 40 is connected to this stop on the opposite side thereof. Thisanvil element 40 is aligned with the shaft 22 and is functionally a partof the fastening mechanism 20. Pairs of dishlike deflecting recesses 40ain the opposite sides of the anvil element facilitate the application ofthe fastener to the ribbon wound on the winding element 18, as will behereinafter more fully described.

The shaft 22 of the winding element is operatively connected to the base16 by means of a connecting block 42 which is apertured to accommodatethis shaft. The shaft 22 may be freely rotated within the aperture ofthe connecting block 42; and it may be translated, that is, movedaxially, from its extended or ribbon winding position, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, and 4, to a retracted or fastening position, as illustratedin FIG. 2. The retracted position of FIG. 2 is determined by theadjustment of the stop 36 on the shaft, for when in the retractedposition, the stop 36 will abut the connecting block 42.

The extended position of the shaft 22 is determined by the engagement ofa spring-actuated detent 44 within a peripheral groove 46 in the shaftadjacent the free end thereof (see FIG. 2). When the detent 44 isengaged in the groove 46, the shaft 22 is resiliently held in positionand resists further axial translation, neventheless, this shaft is freeto rotate about its axis.

A resilient clip 48 mounted against either finger element 26 or 2-8 ofthe winding unit 18 is adapted to hold the forward end of the ribbon 14in position for winding onto the fingers 26 and 28. A ribbon retainingelement 50 pivotally mounted on the slide block 32 may be moved from itsretracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to the operative position,as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In its operative position, this elementis adapted to prevent the loosening or unwinding of the composite loopof ribbon 35 on the fingers 26 and 28 after this loop has been severedfrom the remainder of the ribbon 14- and before the fastening operationoccurs. The winding unit 18 may then be translated to its retractedposition for the application and fastening of a mounting strip 52 4-thereto. The mounting strip 52, which is placed about the centralportion of the composite loop 35, is preferably constructed of heavypaper and has an adhesive substance 53 on its exterior surface which isprotected by means of removable wax paper sheet 54 (see FIG. 3).

The fastener mechanism 20 comprises a pair of fasrtener driving elementsor staplers 69 and 62 which are positioned opposite each other. Thesestaplers 60 and 62, which are of common and Well-known construction, areconnected to an actuating mechanism 64, also of well-known constructionand having an operating handle 66. The actuating mechanism 64 isconnected to the base 16 by means of a mounting bracket 68. When theoperating handle 66 is depressed, the actuating mechanism 64 causes thestaplers 60 and 62 to be actuated toward each other to effect thesimultaneous application of staples 63 or other similar double-prongedmembers to the opposite sides of the composite ribbon loop 35 and thesurrounding mounting strip 52. The deflecting recesses 40a in the anvil4t) effect closing of these staples after they have penetrated theribbon.

The anvil 49 is always in the same position with respect to the staplers6t) and 62 when the winding unit 18 has been translated to its retractedposition. This is so regardless of the position of adjustment of thestop 36 which carries the anvil element 40, because the stop member 36is always in abutting position with respect to the connecting block 42when the winding unit 18 has been translated. The location of the slideblocks 30 and 32 and of the composite loop of ribbon in the translatedposition of the winding unit is, however, dependent upon the adjustmentof the stop 36.

A ribbon guide 70 which is connected to the base 16 by means of abracket 72 guides the ribbon 14 onto the fingers 26 and 28 and againstthe slide blocks 30 and 32 when the winding unit 18 is in its extendedposition, so that the ribbon may be properly positioned for theformation of the composite loop 35.

In order to best hide the fasteners in the finished bow, as illustratedin FIG. 6, the fasteners should be positioned toward the center of thebow, which is along the exterior edge of the composite loop 35 when itis on the winding unit 18. The location of this edge, of course, willdepend upon the width of the ribbon, for the inner edge of the compositeloop will always abut the slide blocks 30 and 32 as previouslyindicated. It will be noted that stop 36 and the anvil 40 are movablerelative to all portions of the winding unit 18. This, therefore,permits ribbons of differing widths to be used in the device; forregardless of the ribbon width, the stop 36 and the anvil 40 may beadjusted to properly position the fasteners in the finished compositeloop.

In operation, the winding mechanism 18 is brought to its extendedposition,'and the eccentric finger 28 is moved to its operative holdingposition, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The ribbon 14 is engaged in thespring clip 48 on finger 28, and the free end of the ribbon preferablyextends over the anvil 40. The elongated finger 26 is then gripped bythe operator, and the winding unit is turned through five or sixcomplete revolutions. This produces a composite ribbon loop on thefingers 26 and 28 which has five or six layers of ribbon. This compositeloop is then severed from the remainder of the ribbon by means of aknife or razor blade (not shown), and the retainer 50 is swung into itsoperative or holding position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to preventthe severed loop from loosening or unwinding. The entire winding unit 18with the composite loop of ribbon thereon is then translated to theposition illustrated in FIG. 2; the mounting strip 52 is positioned; andthe handle 66 of the actuating mechanism 64 is depressed to effect thesimultaneous driving of staples 63 into the opposite sides of thecomposite loop after first passing through the mounting strip positionedthcreabout. The staples 63 are cammed closed by the engagement of theends thereof with the recesses 40a of the anvil 4t).

The handle 66 is then released, and the eccentric finger 28 is rotatedby its projecting tab 28a to its released position. The interconnectedcomposite loop and mounting strip may then be removed from the windingunit, and the stapled side portions thereof may be laid flatly, asillustrated in FIG. 5. The looped unfastened end portions of each layerof the composite loop may then be removed from within the correspondingloop ends of the adjacent overlying layer to form the decorative bow, asillustrated in FIGS. and 6.

It may be seen that with the mechanism constructed in accordance withthis invention, the formation of a decorative bow can be accomplishedquickly and with ease without requiring any substantial degree of skillon the part of the operator. The mechanism is rugged and may be adjustedfor making bows of different sizes (length) and may be further adjustedto accommodate ribbons of different sizes. By varying the size of thebow, two or more bows may be artistically combined to provide verydecorative bows of difierent styles.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that many modifications and changes invarious details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for attaching said bow to a package or the like, saiddevice comprising means for winding a length of ribbon into a compositeloop of several coextensive contiguous layers and having opposite endsand opposite sides, means for fastening the mounting strip to saidribbon and for fastening said contiguous layers together at each of saidopposite sides, independently of such fastening of the layers at theother of said opposite sides, while said composite ribbon loop is onsaid Winding means, whereby when said composite ribbon loop is removedfrom said winding means, the intermediate unfastened portions of eachlayer of ribbon may be removed from the corresponding unfastenedportions of the adjacent overlying layer to form a decorative bow.

2. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising ;a base, Winding means for sequentiallywinding successive portions of a continuous length of ribbon to form anelongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacent layers andhaving opposite ends and opposite sides, means operativelv connectingsaid winding means to said base for translational movement between awinding position and a fastening position, and fastening means inoperative association with said winding means for fastening the mountingstrip to said composite loop and for joining the contiguous layers ofribbon together at each of said opposite sides, independently of suchjoining of the layers at the other of said opposite sides, when saidwinding means is in its fastening position, whereby when said ribbonloop is removed from said Winding means, the

joined side portions may be disposed flat on said mounting strip and thelooped ends of each layer may be removed from within the correspondinglooped ends of the adjacent overlying layer toform a decorative bow.

3. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga pair of substantially parallel fingers and ribbon-engaging means formaintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed position withrespect to said fingers, said winding unit being operatively connectedto said base for translational movement between a retracted and anextended position and for rotative movement about an axis intermediateand substantially parallel to said fingers, whereby as said fingers arerotated, successive portions of the ribbon will be wound thereon to forman elongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacent layers andhaving opposite ends and opposite sides; and means for fastening themounting strip to said composite loop and for joining the contiguouslayers of ribbon together at each of said opposite sides, independentlyof such joining of the layers at the other of said opposite sides, whilesaid ribbon loop is on said winding unit, whereby when said ribbon loopis removed from said winding unit, the joined side portions may bedisposed fiat on said mounting strip and the looped ends of each layermay be removed from within the corresponding looped ends of the adjacentoverlying layer to form a decorative bow.

4. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga pair of substantially parallel fingers, ribbon-engaging means formaintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed position withrespect to said fingers, said winding unit being operatively connectedto said base for translational movement between a retracted and anextended position and for rotative movement about an axis intermediateand substantially parallel to the axes of said fingers, whereby as saidfingers are rotated, successive portions of the ribbon will be woundthereon to form an elongate composite loop of several contiguouscircumjacent layers and having opposite ends and opposite sides; andfastening means including two fastener-driving elements operativelyconnected to said base and disposed on opposite sides of the axis ofrotation of said winding unit, whereby when said winding unit is in oneof its positions the ribbon wound thereon will be positioned betweensaid fastener-driving elements, and manually operable means foreffecting simultaneous application of separate fasteners by saidfastener-driving elements to opposite sides of the ribbon loop and tothe mounting strip positioned centrally thereabout, whereby when saidribbon loop is removed from the fingers of said winding unit, thefastened portions thereof may be disposed fiat on said mounting stripand the looped ends of each layer may be removed from within thecorresponding looped ends of the adjacent overlying layer to form adecorative bow.

5. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga cross bar, a pair of substantially parallel fingers mounted on andextending outwardly from one side of said cross bar, ribbon-engagingmeans for maintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed positionwith respect to said fingers, and an elongate shaft connected to andextending outwardly from the opposite side of said cross bar inintermediate, substantially parallel relationship with respect to saidfingers, said shaft being operatively connected to said base for axialtranslative movement between an extended and a retracted position andfor rotative movement, whereby said winding unit may be rotated andsuccessive portions of the ribbon may be wound onto the fingers thereofto form an elongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacentlayers and having opposite ends and opposite sides; and means forfastening the mounting strip to said composite loop and for joining thecontiguous layers of ribbon together at each of said opposite sides,independently of such joining of the layers at the other of saidopposite sides, while said ribbon loop is on said winding unit, wherebywhen said ribbon loop is removed from said winding unit, the joined sideportions may be disposed flat on said mounting strip and the looped endsof each layer may be removed from Within the corresponding looped endsof the adjacent overlying layer to form a decorative bow.

6. The device recited in claim 3 and including means for resilientlylocking said shaft in one of its translative positions while permittingthe free rotation thereof.

7. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga cross bar, a pair of substantially parallel fingers mounted on andextending outwardly from one side of said cross bar, ribbon-engagingmeans for maintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed positionwith respect to said fingers, and an elongate shaft connected to andextending outwardly from the opposite side of said cross bar inintermediate, substantially parallel relationship with respect to saidfingers, said shaft having a peripheral groove adjacent its free end, aconnecting block mounted on said base and apertured to accommodate saidshaft and to permit both the axial translative movement thereof betweenan extended and a retracted position and the rotative movement thereof,whereby said winding unit may be rotated and successive portions of theribbon may be wound onto the fingers thereof to form an elongatecomposite loop of several contiguous circumjacent layers and havingopposite ends and opposite sides, said connecting block having aspring-actuated element within the aperture thereof for engaging theperipheral groove of said shaft, whereby said shaft may be resilientlylocked in one of its translative positions while free rotation thereofis permitted, and means for fastening the mounting strip to saidcomposite loop and for joining the contiguous layers of ribbon togetheron each side of said loop substantially midway between the ends thereofwhile said ribbon loop is on said winding unit, whereby when said ribbonloop is removed from said winding unit, the joined side portions may bedisposed flat on said mounting strip and the looped ends of each layermay be removed from within the corresponding looped ends of the adjacentoverlying layer to form a decorative how.

8. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga cross bar, a pair of substantially parallel fingers mounted on andextending outwardly from one side of said cross bar, ribbon-engagingmeans for maintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed positionwith respect to said fingers, and an elongate shaft connected to andextending outwardly from the opposite side of said cross bar inintermediate, substantially parallel relationship with respect to saidfingers, said shaft being operatively connected to said base for axialtranslative movement between an extended and a retracted position andfor rotative movement, whereby said winding unit may be rotated andsuccessive portions of the ribbon may be wound onto the fingers thereofto form an elongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacentlayers and having opposite ends and opposite sides; and fastening meansincluding two fastener-driving elements operatively connected to saidbase and disposed on opposite sides of the .axis of said winding unitshaft, whereby when said winding unit is in one of its translativepositions, the ribbon wound thereon will be positioned between saidfastener-driving elements, an anvil element aligned with and connectedto said shaft and extending outwardly on the opposite side of said crossbar therefrom, and manually operable means for effecting simultaneousdriving of separate fasteners by said driving elements through oppositesides of the ribbon loop and through the mounting strip positionedcentrally thereabout, whereby when said ribbon loop is removed from thefingers of said winding unit, the fastened portions thereof may bedisposed fiat on said mounting strip and the looped ends of each layermay be removed from within the corresponding looped ends of the adjacentoverlying layer to form a decorative bow.

9. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base; a ribbon winding unit includinga cross bar, a pair of substantially parallel fingers mounted on andextending outwardly from one side of said cross bar, ribbon-engagingmeans for maintaining a free end portion of the ribbon in fixed positionwith respect to said fingers, and an elongate shaft connected to andextending outwardly from the opposite side of said cross bar inintermediate, substantially parallel relationship with respect to saidfingers, said shaft being operatively connected to said base for axialtranslative movement between an extended and :a retracted position andfor rotative movement, whereby said winding unit may be rotated andsuccessive portions of the ribbon may be wound onto the fingers thereofto form an elongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacentlayers and having opposite ends and opposite sides; a stop memberadjustably mounted on said shaft to limit the translative movement ofsaid winding unit in one direction and thereby to define one of saidpositions for the accommodation of ribbons of differing widths, saidstop member being slotted to accommodate said cross bar, and fasteningmeans including two fastener driving elements operatively connected tosaid base and disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said windingunit shaft, whereby when said winding unit is in one of its translativepositions the ribbon wound thereon will be positioned between saidfastener-driving elements, :an anvil element connected to said stopmember in alignment with and extending on the opposite side of saidcross bar from said shaft, whereby the position of said anvil elementafter said winding unit has been translated in said one direction willbe constant regardless of the adjustment of said stop member, andmanually operable means for effecting simultaneou driving of fastenersby said driving elements through opposite sides of the ribbon loop andthrough the mounting strip positioned centrally thereabout, whereby whensaid ribbon loop is removed from the fingers of said winding unit, thefastened portions thereof may be disposed fiat on said mounting stripand the looped ends of each layer may be removed from within thecorresponding looped ends of the adjacent overlying layer to form adecorative how.

0. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising ribbon winding means, fastening meansin operative association with said winding means, and means operativelyinterconnecting said winding means and said fastening means for relativetranslative movement between two predetermined positions, one of saidpositions being a position wherein said winding means is effective forsequentially winding successive portions of a continuous length ofribbon to form an elongate composite loop of several contiguouscircumjacent layers and having opposite ends and opposite sides, theother of said positions being a position wherein said fastening means isaligned with said winding means, said fastening means being adapted forfastening the mounting strip to said composite loop and for joining thecontiguous layers of ribbon together at each of said opposite sides,independently of such joining of the layers at the other of saidopposite sides, while said composite loop is on said winding means,whereby when said ribbon loopis removed from said winding means, thejoined side portions may be disposed flat on said mounting strip and thelooped ends of each layer may be removed from within the correspondinglooped ends of the adjacent overlying layer to form a decorative how.

11. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow having amounting strip for facilitating the attachment thereof to a package orthe like, said device comprising a base, winding means for sequentiallywinding successive portions of a continuous length of ribbon to form anelongate composite loop of several contiguous circumjacent layers andhaving opposite ends and opposite sides, means operatively connectingsaid winding means to said base for movement between a winding positionmum and a fastening position, and fastening means in operativeassociation with said winding means for applying separate fasteners toopposite sides of said composite loop for fastening the mounting stripto said composite loop and for independently joining the contiguouslayers of ribbon together at each side of :said loop when said windingmeans is in its fastening position, said fastening means including meansfor driving a separate fastener through each of said opposite sides ofsaid composite loop, an anvil mem ber connected to said winding meansand positionable in alignment with said driving means and between saidopposite sides of a composite loop on said Winding means when saidwinding means is in its fastening position, whereby when the ribbon loopis removed from said winding means, the joined side portions may bedisposed fiat on said mounting strip and the looped ends of each layermay be removed from within the corresponding looped ends of the adjacentoverlying layer to form a decorative bow.

12. A device as recited in claim 11 and wherein said fastening meansincludes a pair of staplers disposed to apply staples against oppositesides of said anvil member.

13. A device adapted for use in forming a decorative bow, comprising:means for winding a length of ribbon into a composite loop of severalcoextensive contiguous layers and having opposite ends and oppositesides; and securing means including a member associated with saidwinding means and disposed to lie between such opposite sides of a loopon said winding means, and fastener applicator means in operativeassociation with said member for fastening said contiguous layerstogether at each of said opposite sides, independently of such fasteningof the layers at the other of said opposite sides, while said compositeribbon loop is on said winding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,5424222 We-loh Feb. 20, 1951 2,654,980 Dexter Oct. 13, 1953 202,884,169 Sperry Apr. 28, 1959 2,905,368 Runyan Sept. 22, 1959

1. A DEVICE ADAPTED FOR USE IN FORMING A DECORATIVE BOW HAVING AMOUNTING STRIP FOR ATTACHING SAID BOW TO A PACKAGE OR THE LIKE, SAIDDEVICE COMPRISING MEANS FOR WINDING A LENGTH OF RIBBON INTO A COMPOSITELOOP OF SEVERAL COEXTENSIVE CONTIGUOUS LAYERS AND HAVING OPPOSITE ENDSAND OPPOSITE SIDES, MEANS FOR FASTENING THE MOUNTING STRIP TO SAIDRIBBON AND FOR FASTENING SAID CONTIGUOUS LAYERS TOGETHER AT EACH OF SAIDOPPOSITE SIDES, INDEPENDENTLY OF SUCH FASTENING OF THE LAYERS AT THEOTHER OF SAID OPPOSITE SIDES, WHILE SAID COMPOSITE RIBBON LOOP IS ONSAID WINDING MEANS, WHEREBY WHEN SAID COMPOSITE RIBBON LOOP IS REMOVEDFROM SAID WINDING MEANS, THE INTERMEDIATE UNFASTENED PORTIONS OF EACHLAYER OF RIBBON MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CORRESPONDING UNFASTENEDPORTIONS OF THE AJACENT OVERLYING LAYER TO FORM A DECORATIVE BOW.